Pity they keep referring to the Honda CR-V when it is actually an HR-V in the test. Doh!

It doesn't surprise me that the Subaru performs best - it is the only one of the three manufacturers that I'd class as building 'proper' off-road capability into their cars. They only use CVT auto gearboxes now, as it is the only system that they can find to deliver 'adequate' off-road performance with their X-Drive functionality. I test drove the Forester XT CVT last week and it is a fantastic machine.

Only engineering data tells the truth, not marketing material. Maybe Honda can show us some graph data of their CVT torque performance? The advantage of Forester is X-mode similar to center differential ( Limited Slip Differential) but also keeps transmission in low gear up to 25m/hr (I think only), but again when in soft snow or other high rear torque requirements it gives up.